AHRC appoint new Director of Research

Press release dated 11 Nov 2011: The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has today announced that Professor Mark Llewellyn, holder of the John Anderson Research Leadership Chair in English Studies in the School of Humanities at the University of Strathclyde, will be the AHRC’s new Director of Research.

Professor Llewellyn will begin his secondment to the AHRC as Director in January 2012 and his responsibilities will cover all areas of research activity, postgraduate funding, peer review, and international and Knowledge Exchange issues. He will remain a professor at Strathclyde during his term at the AHRC.

Speaking about the new role Professor Llewellyn said “I am delighted to take up the post of Director of Research at such a stimulating time. I’ve worked with many AHRC staff over recent years on a range of programmes, and I’m pleased to have this opportunity to join an enthusiastic and dedicated team in making a strong case for the distinctive contribution of arts and humanities research to the UK. I look forward in particular to new relationships with colleagues across the wide range of disciplines within the AHRC’s remit, engagement with the cultural and creative sectors, and collaboration with the growing number of our international partners.”

Prior to his role at Strathclyde Professor Llewellyn was senior lecturer in English and Director of Postgraduate Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Liverpool. He is a specialist in late Victorian literature and culture and has been involved in the AHRC’s work since 2007 when he became a member of the AHRC Peer Review College and has chaired a number of AHRC award panels.

Sir Alan Wilson, Chairman of the AHRC, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Professor Llewellyn to the AHRC. We are fortunate to be joined by someone with strong leadership skills and a passion for communicating the importance of the humanities in what is a key role for the Council."

Professor Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor at the University of Strathclyde said: “I am delighted that Mark has been appointed to a very senior post with one of the UK’s major research funders. He will bring a wealth of valuable experience to the post, both from his own research and his involvement in the training and development of early career researchers. I am also particularly pleased that he will remain a Professor at Strathclyde during his term with AHRC."